Effect of coarse aggregate size on non-uniform stress/strain and drying-induced microcracking in concrete

Non-uniform stresses, strains and microcracking of the concretes with three coarse aggregate sizes (5–10 mm, 10–16 16–20 mm) dried under 40% relative humidity (RH) for 60 days were quantified using digital image correlation lattice fracture modelling. The influencing mechanism size on drying-induced concrete was clarified: (1) As decreases, propagation paths are increased, which increase number small microcracks release drying shrinkage force from mortar phase. (2) Tensile stress shells surrounding aggregates become thinner, thereby decreasing area large microcracks. decreased 16-20 mm to 5–10 average thickness tensile 2.13 1.09 at beginning drying, >5 ?m in width 796.6 mm2/m2 340.2 since drying.